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The need for silent, instant alerts
In customer-facing industries like retail, healthcare, and hospitality, employees can find themselves in unpredictable or threatening encounters. The core of this challenge is the inability to summon help without drawing attention, as openly using a phone or radio could worsen the situation. This vulnerability stems from a lack of purpose-built tools for staff who work in open, unpredictable environments, leaving them without a reliable lifeline when they need it most.
Delayed responses from security or management due to these communication breakdowns can have severe consequences. This increases the risk of physical harm and verbal abuse, leading to higher employee anxiety and turnover. For the business, this translates into potential liability, damage to brand reputation, and significant hidden costs associated with employee churn, absenteeism, and lower morale, creating an environment of fear rather than service.
The discreet duress calling solution
Zebra's integrated solution provides a simple yet powerful way for employees to get help the moment they need it. By combining a dedicated wearable device with intelligent communication software, it delivers improved employee safety and faster intervention times, creating a safer environment for both your staff and your customers.
Potential benefits
Moving from a position of vulnerability to one of control, this solution provides tangible improvements to operational safety and employee well-being. The result is a more secure, responsive, and resilient workforce, backed by technology that works when it matters most.
Improved employee safety and confidence
in the workplace
Faster intervention times
to reduce incident escalation
A clear, auditable record
of all duress events for review and training
How the solution works
An associate silently signals for help
The process begins when an associate in a difficult situation presses the dedicated, programmable red Duress button on their wrist-worn WS301. This action is subtle and instinctual, requiring no screen interaction, allowing the employee to maintain composure. The device’s rugged, drop-proof design and reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity ensure the alert is sent without fail, even in challenging conditions.
The alert is instantly delivered to the response team
That alert is instantly processed by Workcloud Sync, which uses its powerful software backbone to route a high-priority notification to a designated response team, like "Store Security." The software leverages locationing services to pinpoint the employee’s exact position and automatically opens a one-way communication channel, allowing the team to listen discreetly for immediate situational awareness and a more effective response.
Reduce risk and empower your workforce
This solution offers significant value by protecting your most important assets: your people. Investing in their safety reduces risk, lowers turnover-related costs, and fosters a more positive, productive, and secure operational environment for everyone.
Note:
Use case figures, savings estimates and images are illustrative only and may be derived from customer data, projections, or controlled testing. They do not represent guaranteed results, and actual outcomes will vary by application; customers should consult a Zebra sales representative to evaluate their specific environment.
